Wheel of Fortune Tarot Card Meaning

Quick Keywords for Wheel of Fortune Card

Upright: Cycles, destiny, turning point, good fortune, karma, life lessons, fate, opportunity, change, breakthrough

Reversed: Bad luck, lack of control, broken cycles, resistance to change, setbacks, missed opportunities, feeling stuck, external forces

Wheel of Fortune Card Symbolism and Visual Description

The Wheel of Fortune stands as one of the most visually striking cards in the tarot deck, and honestly, every time I pull this card, I find myself noticing something new in its intricate design. The central wheel dominates the image, decorated with alchemical symbols and Hebrew letters that spell out the name of God. I think there’s something deeply meaningful about how these sacred elements are woven into what essentially represents the ever-turning cycles of life.

Around the wheel’s rim, you’ll typically see the letters T-A-R-O interspersed with A-R-O-T, which some say can be read as “TAROT” and “TORA” (Torah), though perhaps that’s reading too much into it. The symbolism feels layered, almost deliberately mysterious. The four fixed signs of the zodiac appear in the corners, each holding a book and representing the four evangelists. There’s the angel (Aquarius), the eagle (Scorpio), the lion (Leo), and the bull (Taurus). These figures seem to watch over the wheel’s movement with a kind of eternal wisdom.

What strikes me most about this card is the sphinx perched atop the wheel, holding a sword and appearing completely serene despite sitting on something that’s constantly in motion. Below the wheel, you’ll often see the Egyptian god Set (or Typhon), a serpent-like figure representing the descent into the material world. On the right side, Anubis, the jackal-headed god, appears to be climbing upward, symbolizing the rise to higher consciousness.

The background usually shows clouds, suggesting that this wheel exists in the realm between heaven and earth. Sometimes I wonder if the artist intended for us to feel slightly dizzy looking at it, because that’s exactly how life feels when we’re in the middle of major changes. The wheel itself appears to be suspended in space, neither fully grounded nor completely ethereal.

The colors in most versions tend toward golds and blues, creating a sense of both earthiness and divinity. The wheel’s spokes often contain additional symbols that vary between different tarot decks, but they generally represent the elements or stages of manifestation. There’s something almost hypnotic about the way everything in this card seems to revolve around that central point of constant motion.

Wheel of Fortune Card Upright Meaning

When the Wheel of Fortune appears upright in a reading, it often signals that you’re entering a significant phase of change and movement in your life. I’ve noticed that this card tends to show up when people are standing at the threshold of something important, even if they can’t quite see what’s coming next. The energy here is about recognizing that life moves in cycles, and right now, you might be experiencing an upward turn.

This card invites you to consider how the concept of karma might be playing out in your current situation. Perhaps you’re beginning to see the results of past actions, decisions, or efforts coming to fruition. The Wheel of Fortune suggests that the universe has a way of bringing things full circle, though not always in ways we expect or can control.

There’s an element of destiny or fate associated with this card, but I think it’s important to understand that this doesn’t mean you’re completely powerless. Rather, it’s about learning to work with the natural rhythms and cycles of life instead of fighting against them. Sometimes we resist change because it feels uncertain, but the Wheel reminds us that change is the only constant we can truly count on.

The appearance of this card often coincides with sudden opportunities or unexpected turns of events that could significantly alter your path. You might find yourself in the right place at the right time, or perhaps a door opens that you didn’t even know existed. These moments can feel almost magical, like the universe is conspiring to help you move forward.

This card encourages a perspective shift about luck and circumstance. Instead of viewing yourself as a victim of random events, the Wheel of Fortune invites you to see yourself as an active participant in life’s grand design. Your choices matter, but so does your ability to recognize and seize the moments when fortune favors you.

I find that people often get this card when they need to step back and look at the bigger picture of their lives. Maybe you’ve been feeling stuck or frustrated with slow progress, but the Wheel suggests that change is already in motion, even if you can’t see it yet. Trust in the process seems to be a key message here.

The Wheel also speaks to the importance of staying flexible and adaptable. Life has a way of throwing curveballs, and this card reminds us that our ability to roll with these changes often determines how well we navigate them. Sometimes the best thing we can do is let go of our need to control every outcome.

Wheel of Fortune Card Reversed Meaning

When the Wheel of Fortune appears reversed, it often suggests that you might be experiencing a period where things feel out of control or luck seems to be working against you. I’ve seen this card show up reversed when people are going through particularly challenging phases, feeling like they can’t catch a break or that external circumstances keep undermining their efforts.

This reversal can indicate resistance to change or an inability to see the lessons that difficult experiences are trying to teach you. Perhaps you’re fighting against the natural flow of events in your life, trying to force outcomes that aren’t meant to be. The reversed Wheel might be asking you to examine whether you’re swimming against the current instead of learning to navigate with it.

There’s often a sense of feeling stuck when this card appears reversed, like you’re trapped in negative patterns or cycles that keep repeating. You might notice the same types of problems arising again and again, or find yourself making similar mistakes despite your best intentions. This can be incredibly frustrating, and I think that frustration is actually part of what the card is highlighting.

The reversed Wheel of Fortune can also point to a victim mentality or a tendency to blame external forces for everything that’s going wrong. While it’s true that we can’t control everything that happens to us, this card in reverse might be suggesting that you have more power to influence your circumstances than you realize.

Sometimes this reversal appears when people are experiencing a run of bad luck or setbacks that seem unfair or undeserved. It’s natural to feel bitter or resentful when this happens, but the reversed Wheel often asks us to look for the deeper meaning or growth opportunity hidden within these challenges.

There might be a need to take more personal responsibility for your situation when this card appears reversed. This doesn’t mean blaming yourself for everything, but rather recognizing the areas where you do have agency and choice. Perhaps you’ve been waiting for external circumstances to change instead of taking action where you can.

The reversed Wheel can also indicate missed opportunities or a failure to recognize favorable circumstances when they arise. Sometimes we’re so focused on what’s going wrong that we overlook the positive developments trying to unfold around us. This card might be encouraging you to shift your perspective and look for the silver linings you’ve been missing.

Questions for Reflection when Wheel of Fortune Card Appears

• What cycles or patterns in your life are currently shifting, and how can you work with these changes rather than resist them?
• Where might you need to step back and trust the larger process at work in your life, even when you can’t see the full picture?
• How do you typically respond to unexpected changes or opportunities, and what does this reveal about your relationship with uncertainty?
• What lessons from past experiences might be relevant to your current situation, and how can you apply this wisdom moving forward?
• In what areas of your life do you feel you have the most influence, and where might you need to accept what’s beyond your control?

Affirmations & Mantras for Wheel of Fortune Card

• I trust in life’s natural rhythms and embrace the changes that lead to my growth and evolution.
• I remain open to unexpected opportunities and recognize that every experience contributes to my journey.
• I release my need to control every outcome and allow the wisdom of life to guide my path.
• I am resilient and adaptable, finding strength and learning in both favorable and challenging times.
• I recognize my power to make positive choices while accepting the mystery of life’s greater plan.